Less than 10 miles out of the sleepy town of Sungai Petani, in the northern state of Kedah, Malaysia, stands the region’s highest peak, Gunung Jerai (‘gunung’ is mountain in Malay).
There are several trails for climbing Gunung Jerai, but they are not for the faint of heart. Malaysian jungles are notorious for their thick foliage, which gets further chaotic with the frequent torrential rains in this part of the world, owing to its position on the Equator.
It’s very easy (and very often the case) to lose one’s way in the forest, so only the more intrepid and experienced are advised to go solo. For the others, such as me, there is a perfectly good motorable road and a simple stone cut trail to explore the top and the environs.
The views of the paddy fields from the top are breathtakingly beautiful, especially as the adjoining sea and small islands provide a majestic backdrop. There are landscaped gardens and a chic cafe to indulge in when one is done with the rough and tough rambling.
